Getting Started

You must enter your flows in chronological order. If you have previous flows that you wish to enter, please scroll back a few months and start from the earliest one.

Rebbetzin Rivkah Bloom Project Lead

Rivkah Bloom earned her Bachelors of Computer Science and Electrical
Engineering and her Masters of Computer Science from MIT. She was
a research assistant at the Laboratory for Computer Science at MIT where
she wrote her thesis on ad-hoc mobile routing. When she is not working
on MikvahCalendar.com,
she is usually found playing soccer, making muffins, and exploring the
world with her energetic boys.

Software Development Lead

Our software specialist will remain anonymous for now. He is also an
MIT alumnus and just completed a PhD in Computer Science
from Yale University.

Dan Gepner Homepage Design and Flash Production

Now a veteran interactive designer, Gepner's background
includes a traditional B.S. in Business Management from The Carlson School
(U of MN) and both production and creative roles in radio /
TV broadcast for Radio-K, UMR, PBS, HISTORY, and UPN before moving into
web media. Dan lives with his wife and girls in Minneapolis, MN.

Merrilyn Romen Calendar Page Designer

Merrilyn Romen is an award winning Creative Director for both print
and web designing and executing feature film campaigns, record album
art, logos, packaging and websites for Fortune 500 companies.
Always wanting her work to serve some greater good, Merrilyn discovered
that simplicity and elegance transform complex concepts that impact the
human spirit.

Flow

Any time blood leaves a woman's uterus not due to trauma.
From the Start of Flow until the wife's immersion in a mikvah,
she and her husband must follow the laws of Niddah conduct.
This includes refraining from physical relations.

Start of Flow

The date and hour that a woman first notices her flow.

Hefsek Tahara

Internal Examination with a white cloth to ascertain that bleeding
has completely ended. According to most opinions, at least
five days must elapse
from the Start of Flow before performing a Hefsek Tahara.
Some Sefardic opinions require only four days.

Seven White Days

Seven consecutive days between the Hefsek Tahara and Mikvah Night.
The woman performs two internal examinations each day (bedikot) between
sunrise and sunset. If blood is found, she must perform another Hefsek
Tahara as soon as she is able and start her Seven White Days from
the new Hefsek Tahara.

Mikvah Night

Immediately following the woman's seven white days. After emerging
from the mikvah, the woman enters the new status of “Tehorah” or “Pure”.
A woman may not immerse in the Mikvah on the nights of Yom Kippur,
Tish'a B'av, or a night of one of her Anticipated Flows (Vestot).
In these cases, Mikvah night would be pushed off until the following
night.

Anticipated Flow (Veset)

Relations are not permitted during an Anticipated Flow.

Interval Cycle (Veset Haflagah): The same interval between the
previous flow and this flow. This is calculated differently according
to various customs.

Monthly Cycle (Yom HaChodesh): The same daytime or nighttime
period of the Hebrew Month in which her previous flow began.

Average Cycle (Onah Beinonit): 30 and/or 31 days after the start
of the previous flow. (Depending on your custom.)

Veset kavua (regular veset)

MikvahCalendar.com has the most advanced Kavuah system in the world. Detecting, calculating, and reminding our members of their various Kavuah patterns.

Bedikah

Internal Examination with a white cloth.
A woman must perform an internal
examination on a few occasions:

Two times on each day of her 7 White Days.
(If the twice-daily checks were not fulfilled, the seven days are still valid, as long as she checked at least once during the first day and once during the seventh day.
If the required examinations are difficult to perform, she may rely on certain leniancies after consultation with an orthodox Rabbi expert in these laws.)

During her Anticipated Flows (Vestot): A woman must perform an
internal examination during her Anticipated Flow. There is an extra
stringency regarding
Average Cycle. The couple may not resume relations until
she has performed a clean examination (even if her Average Cycle has passed).
Some poskim require 2-3 internal examinations on veset days.
If you are not sure, you should ask your Rabbi.

Ashkenazic custom is that the woman can perform the internal
examination at any time during the Anticipated Flow.

Chabad custom is that the woman should perform the examination
no earlier that
the same time of day as the Start of Flow of the cycle which projected
this Flow.

Half-Day (Onah)

Full-Day

§ What if my periods are irregular?

This program is perfect for you! Almost all women today fall into the
category of having “irregular” periods as determined by Jewish
law.

§ What if it is common for me to miss a period every few
months-
can I still use this program?

Definitely! MikvahCalendar.com will calculate correctly regardless of
the frequency of your periods.

§ I had a birth or miscarriage. How do I enter this information into the calendar?

When you enter a new flow immediately following your birth/miscarraige, you are able to indicate a birth by checking the box, “A birth has occurred since my last flow.”
MikvahCalendar.com will use this information to ensure proper calculations of anticipated flows.

§ Do I have to wait the same 4 or 5 day minimum for spotting before doing a Hefsek Tahara as I would with my regular period?

If you are currently not in a Niddah state, the four or five minimum day waiting period before performing the Hefsek Tahara is necessary even when the cause of Niddah is spotting. If you are currently in the 7 White days, no waiting is required. In this case, you can make your Hefsek Taharah immediately.

§ Do I always have to wait a minimum number of days before making a Hefsek Tahara?

No. If you have already been in niddah for 5 days (for example your flow starts during your 7 White Days), you can try and perform a Hefsek Tahara as soon as possible. MikvahCalendar.com automatically calculates your earliest Hefsek Tahara date using this information.

§ My Rav told me that my special circumstances warrant that I need not wait the standard minimum time before I am able to make my Hefsek Tahara. How can I indicate this to MikvahCalendar.com?

Your calendar page contains a central pink instruction box. After you have entered your "start of flow", you will see a button appear in this pink box which says, "To enter an earlier Hefsek, click here". You can click on this button and your minimum wait time will be removed.

§ What if I forget to document one month in my calendar?

You can always record your dates at a later time as long as all dates
are entered in chronological order. (Although you should make every
effort to record them on time so as to be aware of upcoming important dates.)

§ I entered the wrong date or time. How can I change it?

Click the "X" in the upper right corner of the date to delete the
most recent flow or hefsek. You may then enter the correct date and time.

§ If I change medication or am under stress and it affects
the timing of my period, how does this effect my cycle?

You would still continue to use mikvahcalendar.com as normal. If you have
any concerns, you should speak to your Rav.

§ Why and when is “Custom location by latitude/longitude” relevant
to me?

We have made every effort to list in the drop down box most major
cities. However, if your city is not there-you can input its latitude and
longitude so that mikvahcalendar.com can automatically calculate all of
your important times. You can find your latitude and longitude by typing “latitude
longitude” and your city's name into www.google.com.
We will use this information, together with the time zone that you choose
to calculate all of your relevant times.

§ What if I travel across the International Date Line?

If you travel across the International Date Line, you should ask a Rabbi
to find out how that might affect your important dates.

§ How do I save my Calendar and information?

Your information is
automatically saved every time you enter new information!

§ Confidentiality is a concern for me. Is there anyone
I can email or call if I have any further questions?

Rabbi Fishel Jacobs would be happy
to answer your questions. He displays extreme sensitivity and patience
in all cases. He can be reached at rabbijacobs@mikvahcalendar.com.
Everything is completely confidential.

Yoetzet.org has a confidential hotline staffed by women who are experts
in the laws pertaining to Family Purity.

Machon Puah is an organization which provides counseling, referrals and support, free-of-charge, to all those seeking professional help for infertility. Puah has a confidential Taharat Hamishpacha hotline to aid couples that need immediate answers.

§ After I have completed my calendar for the month, what should
I do?

Just wait for your important dates and times to be emailed and/or texted
to you!

§ How accurate is the estimated ovulation calculation?

Most women ovulate 14 days before they get their next period.
The calculation shown on your calendar will be more accurate for women with regular periods.
Most OBGYNs recommend using a calendar in conjunction with other tests for ovulation to women trying to calculate
the actual day of ovulation. For exact ovulation date, an ultrasound and blood test is required. We have calculated your estimated ovulation if your periods are at least 18 days apart.

§ How can I help other women keep this beautiful mitzvah of Mikvah?

There is a special fund set up called "Purity with Dignity" which covers the cost of the monthly Mikvah visit and a free box of Bedika cloth for any Jewish woman who is unable to do so herself. You can help a Jewish woman cover the cost of immersing in the mikvah by following this link.

Rabbi Fishel Jacobs, author of Family Purity and Chochmot HaTahara, would be happy to answer questions relating to Taharat Hamishpachah. He displays extreme sensitivity and patience in all cases. You can write completely anonymously, and this email is seen only by Rabbi Jacobs.

Thank you for this wonderful program! It makes keeping the calendar fun.
-Batsheva, Tel Aviv

I just wanted to let you know how wonderful your website is and how much easier it has made my life! G-
d bless you all for this amazing program.
-Sherri, Cape Town

You have made it possible for me to truly keep Taharat Hamishpachah properly. I thank you from the
bottom of my heart.
-Rachel, Teaneck

Hi! I absolutely love this web site. It is the best thing internet was ever used for!!
-Shternie, Brooklyn

I just wanted to let you know that I have been a member of your website for almost 9 months. Before I
joined I would forget to write things down or mess up on the calculations. My husband found out about
your website and encouraged me to join. Since then it has been great. I get email reminders. I can
look back on the calendar and see my history. I am so thrilled that you set up this website. It has really
helped me a lot.
Sincerely,
-Kim, London

I now realize that I have been going to the Mikvah one night too early since I’ve been married. I am only
glad that now I can start keeping the laws of Mikvah at the correct time.
-Esti, Charlotte

It is phenomenal that I receive my reminders via SMS in the Ukraine! The technology is amazing.
-Sima, Kiev

Your website has allowed women who are becoming more observant later in their marriages to keep all of
the intricate laws of Taharat Hamishpachah without overwhelming them. Yasher Koach!
-Rabbi L., Jerusalem

I am a Kallah teacher. I must say that I am impressed with the site, and I send you compliments for
what you are doing with Klal Yisroel and Brachos for Hatzlacha with your holy work. I especially like the
different Halacha options you offer. I was able to punch the buttons for exactly the way my Rov holds.
(Rabbi Forst in Far Rockaway).
-A Kallah Teacher, NY

I can only imagine how hard it was to make this program and to continue to run it and update it, but it is
so important. Thank you so much!!!
-Rochel Leah, Paris

I cannot tell you how many mistakes I’ve made in my calculations. To tell you the truth, there were many
months where I completely forgot to calculate anything. Most of the time I would also forget my bedikos
during my 7 white days. Since I’ve been using MikvahCalendar.com, I have been able to observe
everything properly.
-Mia, Mexico City

Mikvah Calendar Overview

Shalom and welcome to MikvahCalendar.com, your Rabbinically approved personal guide to Taharat Hamishpacha
observance. Mikvah observance lies at the core of Jewish family life. Jewish tradition teaches that there
are three partners in a marriage: the husband, the wife, and G-d. Observing the laws of family purity gives
a couple the opportunities to bring holiness and sanctity into their marriage and welcome G-d into their
home. MikvahCalendar.com makes it simpler than ever before to keep the detailed laws of family purity with
confidence and ease.

One major component of Family Purity is to anticipate the upcoming period and intimately separate at that
time. The purpose is to avoid intimacy at a time when a woman may become ritually impure due the onset of
her period. Most women will anticipate the onset of their period according to three methods:

The exact Hebrew date their previous period began (Veset HaChodesh)

The Average 30 day Cycle (Onah Beinonit)

Cycle based on interval of time from one period to the next (Haflaga)

Getting Started on MikvahCalendar.com

1) Enter a Username and Password

Click "Submit"

2) Confirm Your Email

Check your Email for your confirmation code.Enter the Confirmation Code or click on the link in your email to proceed.

3) Choose Your Preferences

a. Choose Your Calendar Theme

b. Enter Your Location

You can do this by:

Choosing from a list of major international cities.

Entering a United States zip code.

Entering your Latitude/Longitude and time zone.

You may also contact us to add your city to our list of international cities.

c. Choose Your Rabbinic Option

All Rabbis agree that a couple must observe certain important days in relation to a woman's cycle.
However, there are various opinions as to the requirements and calculation of these dates and times.
Please choose a Rabbinic Option for how to calculate these important dates. Everything will then be
calculated automatically. You can also customize the method of calculation by pressing "Custom" to
fit exactly as your Rav requires.

d. Choose Which Reminders You Would Like to Receive and How to Receive Those Reminders.

Mikvah Calendar Features

1. Instruction Box

Follow the Instructions in this box. You will be told to either:

Click on New Flow or

Click on the Date of Your Successful Hefsek Taharah

There are certain circumstances that do not require a woman to wait the minimum 5 or 4 days before
making a Hefsek Taharah. If, after consulting with a Rav, you need not wait the minimum number of days,
you can click on the button which appears inside of this box before entering your Hefsek Taharah.

2. Preferences

Click to return to your Preferences. You can change all of your options as well as change your password.

3. Switch to List View

Click here to view a list of all of your cycles.

4. Your Location

You can change your location for your future time calculations. If your city does not appear on this list, you can return to your "Preferences" to enter your zip code or latitude & longitude.

5. Estimated Ovulation

6. Anticipated Flow Bars

Place your mouse over the Anticipated Flow Bar to view how the Anticipated Flow was calculated.

Gold-Average Cycle

Green-Monthly Cycle

Purple-Interval Cycle

Grey-Or Zaruah

7. Anticipated Flow Sidebar

Displays all of your Anticipated Flows in a list.Click on "View Details" to view how the Anticipated Flows were calculated.

8. Date

Place your mouse over the Anticipated Flow Bar to view how the Anticipated Flow was calculated.